Tell Me it's Not About the Money...
 

Well, the court date for my ticket that was the subject of my "letter to the sheriff" thread has come and gone. My attorney managed to get it reduced from speeding (51 in a 35) to a non-moving violation, so it will not show up on my driving record. The fine was $124 for a "seatbelt violation". I was on my Ducati.

Funny. I had a more serious "Running a red light" reduced to a "Speeding 1-9", just by showing up to court. The Judge yelled at me to SLOW DOWN - LOL

Now appeal the seatbelt violation!

Tell the judge that it is a motorcycle, and work it out.

This is the one where the testimony of a highly emotional motorist conflicts with the testimony of two professional, objective, eye-witness police officers?

i would like to commission a poll. i would like to see the issuance of speeding tickets in states with budget deficits compared to states in the clear.

i'm in california. 20 billion in the hole. and handing out tickets for everything.

Well, to get the reduction you must plead guilty to the 'lesser' charge.


Call KOMO; they would be all over a story like that.

Michigan laid off 100 MSP Troopers starting today.

I wonder if the ones out there will be writing instead of giving warnings.

I DO NOT plan to find out.:D

Yup. Court records will always show the original charge. So, to go in and say "hey, I was on a bike..." would only be met with "so ya wanna pay the original fine, then...".


This is far from over. I was hoping for an out-and-out dismissal, but this is even better. I'll be writing my Governor, both Representatives, and my Senator with this story. I'm still thinking about contacting some of these local news "investigative report" kinds of folks. We'll see what kind of response I get from my elected officials first. Depending upon how they respond, it may make for a better story yet.

Jeff, beware of the media. I speak from experience. These junkyard dogs can turn on you in a heartbeat...

..........and how much was the Atty fees Jeff?

What?

What? (in a slightly higher register)

What? A seatbelt violation on a motorcycle? What?

Was the judge sleeping or texting when this case came up? Unfreakin' believable...only you.

This is so outrageous...I'm just stunned. If I was a fembot, my head would have just exploded.

Dave, the attorney fee has got to be worth having this story to tell.

I had a lawyer that got a Careless and Imprudent charge reduced down to a 'defective equipment (brakes)' charge once. Because it was my defective brakes that caused me to slide through that red light sideways at 3AM while roasting the rear tires...

My lawyer is awesome.

Oh, and yes, it's ALWAYS about the money.

Safety is just an excuse.

i'm surprised the attorney wasn't able to get this outright dismissed.

And yet you don't seem to be the least bit ashamed of that?

Is is possible to get a transcript of the proceedings? I've always wondered what they do to get tickets knocked down.
Someone stole my Valentine 1 yesterday... i feel nekkid....

you should report the serial number of the stolen valentine to v1. then if the new owner ever sends it in for the 'upgrade' program, you could get it back. :)

When is it -not- about the money?

That there is a real deal. Be grateful.

But, did you have a seatbelt on Sir?

No, Guilty!!!!:D

Of course its about the money.

If you were found not guilty it would have been $124 court cost. Just be glad thay did not add $500 for littering.:mad: